Police said there were no obvious signs of a struggle (Image: Getty)
A man allegedly killed his mother, wife and two young children with a hammer and knife before taking his own life, police have said. Narendra Sahu, 35, is suspected of attacking his family while they slept at their rented home in Bhopal, India, in the early hours of Monday. Police believe the victims were first struck on the head with a hammer before their throats were cut with a knife.
They were identified as Sahu’s mother Saraswati, 50, his wife Somlata, 29, his 10-year-old daughter Kirti and six-year-old son Kush. Officers found Somlata and Kush on a bed in one room, while Saraswati and Kirti were discovered on a bed in another room.
Police said there were no obvious signs of a struggle and investigators believe the four may have been asleep when they were attacked. Officers are also investigating whether the victims could have been drugged or poisoned before they were killed.
Small glass bottles discovered in the kitchen have been sent for forensic examination. A blood-stained hammer and knife were recovered from the property, while traces of blood were reportedly found in a wash basin.
Police suspect Sahu may have washed his hands before leaving the house and locking its main door from the outside. CCTV footage from the colony reportedly showed him leaving on his 350cc Bullet motorcycle.
Police said he then travelled towards Chopda Kalan, where his remains were discovered on railway tracks at around 10am.
His motorcycle was found nearby, while officers recovered his mobile phone and the key to the house.
Shortly before his death, Sahu reportedly called his brother-in-law Deepak Singh and asked him to come to Chopda Kalan urgently.
Deepak travelled there but was unable to contact Sahu. He later went to the family’s home and found the property locked. Calls to Somlata also went unanswered.
Police subsequently contacted Deepak after examining Sahu’s phone records, and he identified his brother-in-law.
Deepak returned to the house at around 1pm and, after still being unable to contact the family, called police.
Officers broke open the lock and discovered the four bodies inside.
Senior police officers and a forensic team were called to the property, while Sahu’s phone was seized for further examination. No suicide note was found.
Police are investigating whether financial problems could have been behind the killings.
Sahu, a former restaurateur, was reportedly struggling with unpaid debts, but officers have not yet established a motive.
DCP Adarshkant Shukla said a case involving four murders and a suicide had been registered and that the investigation was continuing.
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